Anyone can write for the Carnival of Natural Parenting, and you can write as few or as many times as you'd like throughout the year. You can read more about how to write for the Carnival as well as details on the topics we have scheduled through June at our main Carnival page. Here are the topics for the next few months: In January we invite you to write about your experiences trying out a new aspect of natural parenting; in February we want parents to reflect on how they can communicate with others respectfully; and in March we want you to share how your life has been touched by a child with special needs.

Whether you write for or enjoy reading the articles written for the Carnival of Natural Parenting, or whether you are simply interested in learning more about natural parenting practices, we want you to join our community at the site born out of the Carnival: Natural Parents Network. NPN is a community that connects, informs, empowers, and inspires parents and parents-to-be. We are thankful for the larger natural parenting community we interact with on NPN's website, Facebook page, and Twitter stream, and we're doubly thankful for the close-knit family of NPN volunteers — we have found true friends.

We look forward to reading more from our writers — new and old — in 2011. But before 2012 starts, I wanted to sum up our second year and share some of my favorite Carnival posts once again. (Here are the 2010 favorite posts and stats if you want to look back.)

I catch some flak from my family for trying to parent in this way: being responsive rather than giving a kneejerk no to everything — you know, the be-in-control-at-all-times method of parenting. But it’s worth the price of a little outside misunderstanding to know my children know we’ll really listen to them.

At LaurenWayne.com:

Want to make your favorite bloggers happy? There aremany ways you can support your must-read bloggers and show you value their writing that won't cost you a penny. There are other ways that cost you some money but arecents well spent.

I particularly urge you to sign up on the three linkies so I can support you: (1) blogs on Kindle so I can give you a good review, (2) WAHP businesses so I know where to shop, and (3) affiliate links so I can click through when I do my online shopping.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

In the midst of this busy holiday season, in the cacophony of gimmes and wish lists, there's a way to turn the focus outward that even a child can understand: Be a Santa.

Mikko waffles between believing in Santa (because how could the jolly old elf not be real when his image and story are everywhere in this culture?) and not (because we've told him the truth when he asks us), but this idea to be a Santa doesn't depend on belief one way or the other, cutting through (or leaving aside) the debate over which holiday-parenting path is better.

We were downtown when we spotted one of those Christmas trees with tags suggesting gifts for low-income families. Sam pulled a couple, one for a baby and one for a four-year-old, just like our kids, and we went shopping as a family.

Mikko flipped out at first. How could we buy such cool presents and not give them to our own child? (The preschooler's request was for a superhero-with-motorcycle action figure, and the baby's parents wanted some sweet books.) I have to admit, I questioned Sam's wisdom at pulling a preschooler's tag instead of, say, a 15-year-old's, where there would have been less envy overlap. (The baby's other request was for diapers, for instance, which went unremarked.)

Reminding Mikko he was getting heaps of presents from his grandparents was not palliative. Reminding him he could save up his allowance to buy a motorcycle toy for himself did no good. Telling him the boy in question did not have stacks of presents coming his way — that this might, in fact, be his only present — didn't quell the complaints.

Mikko came up with suggestions: He would give his old, unwanted toys to the boy instead! We could buy them both the same thing! (Frankly, we don't usually spend that much on any one toy for our kids, and it wasn't a toy we were keen on — no objections to it in theory, just not something we would have chosen for Mikko.)

Sam then figured out what would be the magic formula. We're going to be Santa to these kids, he told Mikko. We're going to buy them some things, not because they need them, not because they deserve them, but just to be nice. We're going to wrap them up and deliver them (back to the tree), just like Santa would do. We're going to do the same with other people in our life we love — buy them things we think they will like, whether they do the same for us or not, wrap them up, and send them off. We are their Santas.

This took a full day to sink in, and I thought it hadn't.

The next afternoon, I was sitting on the bed when Mikko tromped industriously up the stairs, a roll of wrapping paper under his arm. "We're going to be Santa, Mama," he announced to me. "I'll get the presents to wrap." And off he went to find the boys' presents and bring them over for wrapping.

The volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to making NPN the outstanding resource it is also spend countless hours informing, empowering, and inspiring others on their personal blogs. To close out 2011, the NPN volunteers have come together to provide you with some valuable reading material. Each volunteer has selected either the most viewed post of 2011 or a favorite post from the past year and shared the link here. Please take a few moments to visit each post. Our intention is to expand our reach as bloggers and informed parents and parents-to-be who are still growing as we move through our own journeys. Each volunteer has provided links to other social media sites where you can follow along as well.

We hope you enjoy reading these posts as much as we enjoyed writing them. We are always looking for new volunteers so please, contact us if you are interested. Just a few hours per month can help other parents in a huge way!

Adrienne from Mommying My Way shares Fear vs. Faith, one of her favorite posts about how often living a life of faith can look like a life of fear, but the two are really quite different. You can also find Mommying My Way on Facebook.

Amy of Toddler In Tow shares Finding My Mommy-Zen, her most viewed post of 2011. In this post, she shares her desire to balance her own self-esteem by choice in order to parent with peace and compassion. You can also find Toddler In Tow on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter, and follow Amyables (Amy W.) on Google+ and Ravelry.

Joella, the mama behind Fine and Fair, shares An Unusual Gripe with Bebe Gluton, one of her most popular posts of 2011. In it, she discusses the controversy surrounding a "breastfeeding doll" and offers her take on the gender role implications of dolls in general. Fine and Fair can also be found on twitter and facebook.

Kelly of Becoming Crunchy shares That Cup Does What?, her most viewed post of 2011. This post is one of a series of reviews and information on switching to all natural menstrual products - having heard so many different options and recommendations, Kelly decided to give a whole bunch of them a try and pull all the reviews together in one week for anyone interested in making the switch. This post in particular covers the ins and outs of the Diva Cup. You can also find Becoming Crunchy on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest.

Lani of Boobie Time shares Helping a Fellow Breastfeeding Mom, her inspiration for starting to blog. This post discusses the importance of fellow moms supporting each other and some tips on having a successful breastfeeding relationship. Lani can also be found on Facebook.

Laura at WaldenMommy: Life Behind the Red Front Door writes about finally entering "spring" when her child with special needs begins preschool. After battling post-partum mental illness (post tramatic stress disorder) after the preterm birth of her third child, she finally begins to feel healthy and whole again in "It's Fall, Ya'll-Again."

Momma Jorje shares Amniocentesis - What is it *really* like?, one of her most viewed posts of 2011. This open and honest series offers not only the technical process of amniocentesis, but also the emotions involved in awaiting (and receiving) the procedure and a diagnosis. Momma Jorje can also be found on Facebook.

Seonaid of The Practical Dilettante offers a science- and reverence-based meditation on The Living Earth, her most viewed post of 2011. This meditation was originally written for Earth Day, but it provides a way to reconnect with your place in the living breathing planet at any time of year. You can also find Seonaid on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Cozy throw blanket

It's the perfect size to throw over the laps of a mama and child. It keeps us warmer than the afghan we had on the couch before. It's also built forts and (above right) traps, Mikko's newest game.

I was hoping to show you my newest project, a quilted carseat size, but it's not done yet and I've officially given myself permission not to finish it by Christmas!

Knotted fabric necklace

I've finally gotten to test out my knotted fabric bead necklace with a grabby baby (huuuge hit), and I've made a new version with wooden beads to be, more specifically, a nursing necklace:

The shiny fabric makes it holiday-festive.

I've also made a couple more non-wooden versions for my mom and mama-in-law, for prettiness:

I was in a children's store today and saw some made from bright calico for little girls. These necklaces are versatile, and so easy to make quickly with scraps and supplies you probably already have around!

Wool dryer balls

I've also been making everyone and sundry my newest laundry obsession. I hope to post a tutorial soon for my method, but for now have a look at Anktangle's. I'm enjoying how pretty mine look — here's hoping they're all felting up nicely. Mikko helped me make one for Grandma:

I'm a little bit drooly when it comes to Tea Collection children's clothing. I admired them from afar for a couple years before finally getting my greedy paws on some pieces. I entered giveaways like this (but didn't win, sigh). I was nearly giddy when Tea offered to let me do a review and giveaway of their precious boys' clothing. (Clothes for girls, women, and babies are also available.)

Tea Collection: The Story

Tea Collection picks a particular global region to inspire the clothing line each year: from Japan to West Africa to Hungary. Right now it's Modern Mexico, and I love the south-of-the-border details. The inspiration often turns toward the graphic and the colorful, lending a stylistic and unique touch to your kids' clothes you don't usually find.

The tagline for Tea is "for little citizens of the world." I admire the "fusion of worldwide cultures and modern design," as the About page puts it.

Decorate the Kids: Get Colorful

Let me admit that I'm not a little green when I look at the girls' clothing that Tea offers. As with most children's clothing, it's even cuter. But, I have two boys, and fortunately, Tea has got them covered with delectable options as well.

One thing that often depresses me about boys' clothing is how drab it can be. Tea says no way to boring and came through with not one but two purple shirts for my four-year-old! Mikko loves purple, and it's incredibly hard to find boys' shirts in that color. Yea for Tea!

Matchy Matchy: Range of Children's Sizes

Even better? Mikko loves to match clothing with his new little brother, Alrik, who's six months old. I figure that agreeableness won't last forever, so I try to indulge it as I can. Unfortunately, Mikko wears a size 6 or 7 now, and Alrik is still in baby sizes, of course. This makes finding coordinating clothing very challenging.

Tea to the rescue! Nearly all of the clothing options at Tea Collection start at baby sizes (a Small is 6-12 months) and go up through children's sizes, most up to a size 12. Yup, you could get a baby a romper, big sister a coordinating shirt, and even bigger sister the same one! I can't tell you how excited this makes me.

(They also have newborn size clothing for smaller babies, beginning at 0-3 months up through 6-9 months.)

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Arpita writes about her journey trying to conceive, but she's thinking positive and planning ahead:

I sheepishly have to admit that for quite a long time I was in that blissful unaware stage of not having any idea what comes after the birth other than the soft sweet warm bundle of joy that we'll call our baby, I mean what else matters right? Well, ensuring that little life is respected and treated with no harm would be good too I thought. This is why I love Lauren's guest post on the real what to know!

This was so true for me, too. For a long time before we started TTC, I planned out my maternity wardrobe and toyed around with name ideas. But this post (a reprint from Hobo Mama) will talk you through postpartum interventions, circumcision, breastfeeding, cloth diapering, sleep, and what to expect of a newborn and yourself. Think of it as a checklist to start researching those topics and making some decisions beforehand.

… The mother-to-be might know precisely how to time intercourse in her cycle for the best chance at conception; she might have a handy pocket chart of foods to avoid during pregnancy; she might have toured a half-dozen birth suites and booked the coziest; but when the conversation turns to what to do with the child who will soon come forth, there's a blank look.

I get it, I do. Pregnancy is fun (depending on circumstances). Getting pregnant can be (also depending on circumstances). Whereas raising a child?

Well, it's all a little murky when you're getting into it for the first time.

So I'm going to just put together a little checklist of suggestions for parents-to-be, a few things to think about and make decisions on as you sail into the uncharted waters of having your first baby.

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Riding the rails with my husband, Crackerdog Sam, and our hobo kids, Mikko Lint Picker (born June 2007), Alrik Irontrousers (born May 2011), and Karsten (born October 2014). Trying every day to parent intentionally and with grace.